First things first. This is not a rant. This is an expalation of a problem, which reduces the experience in 3D audio a lot. For background: I'm a sound engineer and music producer and I don't wanna sound arrogant, but I know what I'm talking about. (I'm a really nice and funny guy :D)
So lets get to the problem then :D
NO I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE FRONT FACING DRIVER
for better understanding watch this VIDEO
This bug appeared the moment I switched the Arc with the Arc Ultra. Before I made the switch I was on the 16.1 app and firmware. So I don't know if the Ultra causes the problem or the app/firmware. Before the switch everything was running as it should.
So, since there is not much of a topic around this, I'm curious if I am still one of a few who have this bug or one of a few who noticed it.
I made this post in Reddit, but not everyone is on Reddit and the more people know, the faster Sonos can work on it. Reddit discussion
I didn't saw any review which mentioned it.
As you can see in the video, the rear driver is completly silenent when the Era 300's are paired with the Arc Ultra. Also Truplay isn't "sweeping" the driver either. (Timestamp 0:44)
So the mesurement isn't right.
First I thought it could be a feature instead of a bug, but it doens't fit the Dolby Atmos recommendations like this. You won't get sound from "behind" your seating position.
And I remember Sonos self promoted it how it should work, where the rear driver is playing.
DOLBY ATMOS LAYOUT
Sound from side driver/channel should boucing off your side walls, rear driver/channel bouncing off the back wall of your seating position and height channel obviosly bouncing off your ceiling. Thats why you should position them facing forward. At the moment you don't get the immersion that sound is coming from behind you, since the driver is silent.
I tested every setting, played the Dolby Atmos testfile (MKV KTrueHD Atmos] and MP4 PEAC3 + joc Atmos]) from different sources (TV Plex app, Nvidia Shield, from a USB through TV) Same result everytime.
If someone could test this behavior and can confirm this, it would be very nice. Sonos can't fix something they don't know and if most people doens't recognize doens't mean something isn't wrong.
Currently I'm running app version 80.12.04 (Android) and 80.12.03 (iPhone) and firmware version 81.1-58210.
If you don't have this problem, what version are you running?
And last but not least: IF this ever getting fixed, the experience with Arc Ultra and Era 300 will be much better! I love my Sonos products soundwise and Arc Ultra is sounding really good, but it could be much better.
Have a nice day
To All
My apologies that I have to quote the OP in this manner as the OP is entitled to their opinion. However, IMO the OP regardless of their credentials should not have taken it upon themselves to unequivocally characterize their opinion as a “Problem” that Sonos should fix.
Humans have a tendency to automatically lend credibility to people who are supposedly an authority on a subject. In some instances the credibility bestowed is warranted as others in the specific field with equal credibility have given their approval to the additional findings. You don’t just cut your leg off because one physician says it’s necessary…to the contrary you would seek a second opinion.
Granted the OP goes on to present videos of sound tests they have chosen to justify their claim. Others in the community have allegedly made their own test using test sounds. However, the fault in doing so is that no one has a baseline of sound to say that the supposed lack of sound from the inner drivers is a fault. Furthermore there is no standardized sound test that everyone uses over another or has access to.
I mentioned in another post to this thread that I watched the movie Twisters and was thoroughly impressed with the Atmos sound in my space. That’s not to say that you watching the same movie will achieve the same enjoyment; as the accuracy of the Atmos “bubble” is heavily dependent upon the parameters of your space. That said one’s opinion as to how Atmos sound is reproduced in their space is not an inditement of a faulty design of the Era 300’s.
Your next comment may be that how is it so many in the Community are indicating the same issue. That’s a fair statement. However, I ‘d ask how many who claim they have the same issue may have been unconsciously convinced there is an issue based upon what the OP has presented as “gospel” because of their credentials that were presented at the start of their post.
@Jamie A has presented an answer from the Sonos engineers that the audio behavior of the Era 300’s is as to be expected. So until Sonos reverses that decision all of the Sabre rattling in this thread is pointless, IMO.
There has been talk of making the volume adjustment for the inner drivers a feature request. The potential issue with such is that more issues may be created than resolved. One has to remember that the Era 300’s act in unison with the soundbar to create a balanced listening experience. Tweaking one aspect of sound has a direct impact on other sound parameters. I believe that Sonos has determined that some adjustments should be limited in scope or not offered at all. You might call such as “Big Brother” exercising too much control. However’ I would ask…”do you control everything in your life or are some factors limiting or beyond your control”.
No need to keep beating a dead horse so I’ll leave it to you to make your own decision as to how you move forward (or not) regarding the Era 300 inner drivers.
